VATICAN CITY, April 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The Vatican said Thursday that nearly 50,000 people had so far paid their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state at St Peter's Basilica for three days before his funeral.

From 11 am Wednesday, when public tributes began, until 8:30 am Thursday, some 48,600 people filed past Francis' coffin, it said.